Leather-seasoning machine.



G. E. SLOOOMB. LEATHER SEASONING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV.18, 1910. RENEWED MAY 21, 1913.

L@8Q,2&@ Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

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I V INVENTUR M Z F f% @@wi M ATTORNEYS COLUMIBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. E. SLOOOMB.

LEATHER SEASONING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION IILED NOV. 18, 1910. RENEWED MAY 21, 1913.

1,082,24A. Patented Dec.23,1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES NVENTOR BY @dTJa M W? ATTDRNEYS C. E. SLOCOMB.

LEATHER smsomne MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.18, 1910. RENEWED MAY 21I 1913. 1,082,244. Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

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WITNESSE ki hi /1W- coLUMpIA PLANOORAPH co., WASHINGTON, D c.

ATTORNEYS G. E. SLOGOMB.

LEATHER SEASONING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 13, 1910. RENEWED MAY 21,1913.

1,082,244, Patented Deo.23, 1913.

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.r-IIIHIl a 1,082,244. Patented D68. 23, 1913'.

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WITNESSES lNUEidLiH-l' MWHHEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH coqwAsmNu'mN. D. c,

UNfTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. SLOCOMB, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR T0 F. F. SLOCOMB &

(10., INCORPORATED, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION 0F DELA- WARE.

LEATHER-SEASONING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 23,1913.

Application filed November 18, 1910, Serial No. 592,966. Renewed May 21, 1913. Serial No. 769,095.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. SLocoMB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, county of Newcastle, State of Delaware, have invented a new .and useful Leather-Seasoning Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for treating hides and more particularly to that type of machine used in finishing hides, wherein a seasoning composition is applied and worked into the grain side of the skin.

In machines as heretofore constructed it has been proposed to spread the seasoning or coloring material over the surface of a hide and rub the same into the surface in an endeavor to simulate the hand process in use for years, but in practice it has been found that the seasoning applied by such machines has not been spread evenly over the surface, the result being that some parts thereof are too heavily and other parts too thinly coated. The method employed in these machines is furthermore imperfect for the reason it often happens that there are folds in the skin so that when the skin is stretched out, uncoated and uncolored strips will appear. An undesirable result also attained by these machines is the covering of the flesh side of the skin with more or less seasoning or blanking, which greatly injures the sale of the skin and impairs its value, although it is not actually damaged, for practical use.

The hand method of seasoning and coating skins which has been used extensively is not at all satisfactory, owing to the expense incident thereto as compared with any machine method and it is furthermore undesirable because it is not possible even with the greatest care, to properly distribute the seasoning evenly over the surface and the result is a skin which will be too bright in some parts and in others too dull.

In my present invention I have devised a machine wherein the seasoning or other finishing compound is applied to the grain side of a hide and manipulated under considerable pressure, by suitable adjuncts both in directions with the grain and against the grain. The compound by this means of manipulation or rubbing is thoroughly worked into the hide, the movement in a direction against the grain serving to force the coating into the surface of the hide in every direction, it of course being apparent that the more uniform the pressure and rubbing action, the more acceptable and uniform will be the finished product.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at pres ent preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be under stood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents an end elevation of a leather seasoning machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a plan of the machine. Fig. 3 represents a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 4 represents an elevation of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a section on line 0000, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 represents a section on line :I/7, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 represents a plan, partly in section, of a modified form of rubbing mechanism. Fig. 8 represents an end elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the modification shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 represents, on an enlarged scale, in partial section, one of the rubbing devices sho v11 in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 represents a form of brush roll adapted for use in my invention. Fig. 11 represents a section on line s-z, Fig. 10.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings: 1 designates the frame of a machine embodying my invention, the same having journaled therein in a suitable manner, a shaft 2, carrying thereon a driving pulley S and loose pulley 4, the said pulleys being driven from any suitable source of power. Fixedly secured to the shaft 2 is a bevel gear 5, meshing with a similar gear 6, secured on a counter shaft 7, rotatably mounted in the frame 1 and having thereon a worm 8 in mesh with a worm gear 9, by means of which the main shaft 10 of the machine is driven.

1.1 designates a drum or cylinder keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 10 for rotation therewith and forming a support for a skin 12 during the seasoning operation and also serving as a carrier to bring the skin into position for the respective seasoning devices to operate thereon. These seasoning devices or seasoning applying means consist of a brush 13 rotatably mounted, in the present instance, in a bracket 13 secured to the frame 1, said bracket also carrying a second brush it suitably mounted for rotation and disposed in close proximity to a pan or tray 15, which is adapted to contain a suitable seasoning liquid. It will be noted that the brush 1% is so positioned as to pass a portion of its surface through the liquid in the tray 15 and thus convey the seasoning liquid toward the distributing brush 13 for application to the skin. It will be noted that a roll 16 suitably grooved is interposed between the two brushes 13 and 14 in order to collect the seasoning material from the brush 14c and distribute the same more evenly over the brush 13, while a second roll 17 is rotatably mounted adjacent thereto and preferably in contact therewith in order to remove superfluous liquid.

The several rollers and brushes just described are suitably connected by a chain of gearing 18 in order that they may operate simultaneously and in a proper manner.

19 designates a spindle rotatably mounted in the frame 1 and having secured thereto a hand wheel 20, by means of which it is brought into operation as desired, it being noted that bevel gears 21 are fixedly carried by the said spindle 19 in order to opcrate through bevel gears 22 and threaded rods 23. These rods 23, in the present instance, serve as adjusting means for a frame 24., which carries certain of the seasoning devices, it being apparent from Fig. 3 of the drawings that rotation of the spindle 19 ,causes the rods 23 to raise or lower, accord ing to the direction of movement, the frame 24 relative to the cylinder or drum 11.

25 designates suitable journal boxes disposed at intervals on the frame 2 1 and preferably arranged in paired relation in order to support suitable working rolls 26, which serve to spread and rub the seasoning material into the skin during its passage through the machine. The rolls 26 are respectively mounted on spindles 27 and on each spindle a bevel gear 28 is secured and meshes with a similar gear 29 on shaft 30, the latter being driven by a suitable connection from a driving source. it will be noted that a spring 31 is provided between each ournal box and the frame 24, whereby a yielding movement is permitted to the rolls 26, so that the posi tion of the rolls may be automatically shifted to allow for the varying thickness of the skins 12.

32 designates a lever, in the present instance, suitably fulcrumed at 33 to one of the journals 25 and connected at one end by a pin 3% to a link 35 similarly secured at 36 to a bell crank lever 37. This bell crank lever 37 is pivotally mounted in the frame 1 by means of a pin 38 or the like and carries a spindle 39, upon which a brush 40 is rotatably mounted. This chain of levers is adapted to be operated, in the present instance, by the movement of one of the rolls 26 and it will be noted that a connection is made at n to permit such operation. It will be understood that the rolls 26 in normal position are held by the spring 31 against the surface of the drum 11 and in this position, as shown in Fig. 1, the brush to is raised, whereas at the time a skin contacts with the rolls 26 the brush 10 is lowered to operative position by the movement of bell crank 37, which is actuated through the shifting of rolls 26. It will be noted that the brush 10 is driven by a sprocket wheel 42, from any suitable source of power and in a direction indicated by the arrow shown in Fig. 5 and therefore it is desirable to raise the said brush from the skin when the rear edge of the skin is within a short distance of the brush, since otherwise the rotary movement of the brush would pick up this edge and fold it over, thereby causing injury to the skin. The lever system connecting the brush 40 with the rolls 26, insures the proper removing of the brush and it will of course be understood that each end of the brush is provided with the system of levers just described.

4E3 designates guide ways provided in the frame 1 adapted to receive guide lugs 44, preferably formed integral with a bar 45, which its edge is substantially parallel. The in the frame 1, permitting its position relative to the cylinder 11 to be adjusted as desired. The movement of the bar 45, in the present instance, is controlled by rods 46 having screw-threaded engagement with a portion of the frame 1 and it will be clear that as the rods 46 are rotated in one direction or the other, the bar 45 will receive a lineal movement.

17 designates a blade, preferably adjust ably mounted on the bar 45 and positioned in close proximity to the cylinder 11, with which its ede is substantially paralle. The bar l5 carries the blade 47 through the medium of a yielding connection, consisting in the present instance of threaded plungers 18 secured to the blade 47 and each having attached thereto a threaded spindle 49, with which a suitable nut 50 cooperates, it being noted that a bushing 51 is carried by each spindle l9 and bears against a spring 52, having contact at one end with the plunger 1-8. These springs 52 are suitably supported in hollow bosses 53 which preferably form a part of the bar 45 and it will be evident that as the nuts 50 are turned, the

pressure of these springs 52 upon the blade 47 may be regulated and adjusted as desired. The function of the blade 47 is that of a scraper and is utilized to remove any seasoning liquid which may remain on the cylinder 11 after a skin has been removed therefrom in order that a clean surface may be presented for the next skin entering the machine. The position of the bar 41-5 is fixed after its adjustment, by means of the lock nuts 54:, as will be apparent.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 a modified form of spreading and rubbing device is shown consisting in the present instance of disks 56 of felt or other suitable material secured to and adaptedto be rotated by the movement of spindles 57, the said spindles each carrying a bevel gear 58 in mesh with a similar gear 59 carried by a shaft 60. It will be seen from Fig. '7 that there are, in the present instance, two of these shafts 60 suitably mounted in brackets 60* secured to the frame 24, whereby a double row of rotary spreading disks is formed. The shaft 60 receives power from any suitable source, as will be understood. Each spindle 57, as here shown, is provided with a head 61 suitably embedded in a disk 56 and having a flanged collar 62 threaded thereto and located in a countersunk portion of the disk 56.

63 designates a plate having secured thereto the flange 64 by means of the screws 66, said flange G l having the upward eX- tension 65, which is provided with the slots 67 through which the stud or studs 68 project, said studs being secured to the bracket 69, it being apparent that while the parts 57, 75, 58, 62, 61 and 56 rotate, the parts 63, 64k and do not rotate but have a free upward and downward movement.

71 designates a spring carried by each disk 56 and bearing at one end against the bracket 69, whereby the disk 56 is held firmly pressed against a skin but at the same time has yielding movement to allow for varying thicknesses of material.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a modified form of brush is shown, the same being adapted for use in place of either the brush roll 16 or brush roll s0 and the construction theseof consists in arranging the bristles 72 at an angle to the axis of the brush and diverging from substantially the center of the brush toward the ends, this arrangement serving to effectually distribute the coating and also stretch the skin in its relation to the cylinder.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The frame 24 carrying the spreading devices 26 is first correctly adjusted relative to the cylinder 11 in order to obtain the desired degree of pressure upon the springs, and this adjustment is made by rotating the hand wheel 20 to transmit motion to the spindle 19 and thus to the threaded rods 28. The scraper blade 47 is next adjusted correctly with respect to the cyliir der l1 and locked in position by the nut 54:, after which the tension of the springs 52 is regulated and set. The skins 12 now being in position for feeding into the machine, the driving belt 76 is shifted to fixed pulley 3 and the machine set in motion. The cylinder 11 is now rotating and the skins 12 are fed one at a time, about the surface thereof, first passing beneath the seasoning distributin brush 13, which delivers a suitable quantity of the seasoning material to the surface of the skin and distributes it evenly over the surface thereof. The skin now passes beneath the series of rolls 26, which it will be noted are suitably concaved to conform to the configuration of the cylinder 11 in order to contact properly with all points of the skin and these rolls, being under rotation and suitable pressure, thoroughly work the coating or seasoning into the skin, the direction of their rotation being against the grain of the hide, whereby a thorough working takes place. As soon as the skin contacts with the rolls 26 they are raised as shown in Fig. 5, thereby actuating the lever system attached to the brush 40, which latter is then lowered into surface engaging position with the skin. The direction of rotation of this brush 40 is with the grain of the hide, thereby further working the seasoning into the skin and giving a smooth face for glazing. As soon as the skin passes from beneath the rolls 26, which occurs at a time when the brush 40 has worked substantially over the entire surface of the skin, the said rolls 26 drop once more to the surface of the cylinder 11 and thus raise the brush 40 just before the rear edge of the skin reaches this brush, so that there is no danger of the skin being turned up at the ends and injured. The skins are thus passed through the machines successively and are removed as soon as the brush 40 has been passed, while the scraping blade 4:7 is at all times in contact with the surface of the cylinder 11 to remove any coating or seasoning material which may have splashed thereon. This is an essential step, as otherwise the flesh side of an entering skin would be damaged by coming in contact with such coating.

It will now be apparent that l have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results,. it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

The shat or has fitted thereon a collar 74 provided with a set screw 75 whereby said collar may be firmly retained in proper position on the shaft 57. The object of the collar 74 is to limit the downward movement of the disks 56.

It will be observed on referring to Fig. 2 that the bevel gear wheels 28 increase in diameter as they approach the center of the machine, while the bevel gear wheels 29 decrease in diameter as they approach the center of the machine, whereby the speed of the working rolls 26 gradually decreases as they approach the center of the machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a supporting device for a hide or skin, with a device for rubbing a coating fluid into said skin, a device for applying a finishing treatment to said skin and means actuated by said rubbing devices for throwing the finishing devices into contact with said skin as the latter leaves the rubbing devices.

2. in a machine for treating leather, the combination of a finishing device for applying the final treatment to a hide or skin and means actuated by the movement of a previous operating device for automatically causing saidfinishing device to move out of contact with said hide or skin at a predetermined time.

3. In a machine for treating leather, the

combination of a finishing device for applying the final treatment to a hide or skin and means operated by the movement of said skin for automatically causing said finishing device to move out of contact with said hide or skin according torequirements.

4. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a concave roll adapted to coact with a rotary cylinder to work a skin and a finishing device suit-ably connected to move to operative position by the movement of said roll.

5. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a plurality of concave rolls adapted to co-act with a rotary cylinder to work a skin with a finishing device suitably connected to move to operative position by the movement of said rolls and means to remove coating fiuid from the periphery of said cylinder.

6. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a work cylinder, means for rotating the same, a plurality of devices for rubbing a coating fluid into a skin supported on said cylinder, and means for rotating said rubbing devices at difierent speeds relative to each other.

7. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a work cylinder, means for rotating the same, a plurality of devices suitably supported for rubbing a coating fiuid into a skin supported on said cylinder, means to rot-ate said rubbing devices, and means to decrease the speed of respective rubbing devices from the ends of the cylinder toward the center thereof.

8. In a machine for treating leather, the

combination of a carrier for supporting a skin, with means for actuating said carrier,

a rubbing device suitably actuated to engage said skin, and means operated by the continued forward movement of said skin for controlling the position of said rubbing device.

9. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of a finishing device for applying the final treatment to a hide or skin, and means operated by the continued forward movement of said skin for causing said finishing device to move into contact with said hide or skin.

10. In a machine for treating leather, a rotary carrier for supporting and actuating a skin, means for rotating said carrier, a rubbing brush movably supported for finishing said skin, and means operated by the continued forward movement of said skin for efiecting the movementof said rubbing brush toward and against said skin.

11. In a machine for treating leather, the combination of the concave roll adapted to coactwith a rotary cylinder to work a skin, and a finishing device connected to said roll whereby movement of said roll in one direction causes a movement of said finishing roll in the opposite direction.

CHARLES E. SLOCOMB.

YVitnesses:

E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS, ROBERT M. BARR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing: the commissioner of ?atents.

Washington, D. G. 

